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When the pandemic first started I welcomed the break from going to workout studios and gyms. I was having issues with my left shoulder and needed the rest from the vigorous one-hour daily workouts I was doing. At the time I wasn’t too keen on working out from home, but figured more low-impact, modification workouts for 3 weeks was a blessing for my shoulder. Oh yeah, I thought the pandemic was going to last a month tops. Little did I know…
Here we are a year later and still doing at-home workouts. I was fortunate at the beginning to already have a few workout equipment that was keeping me afloat. I had a yoga mat and 5lb weights. Now my apartment looks like it’s own mini gym equipped with a variety of hand weights along with ankle weights, bands, and soon to be sliders and wrist weights. I have all that I need to continue my workouts as if I never left the studio.
A year later, and fully submerged in my mini gym, I realize how much I appreciate working out from home. When the pandemic is over, I may still continue to incorporate my online classes into my workout schedule. I have found there to be many perks for working out at home, here are a few.
Time Efficient: I can’t believe I used to walk 20 minutes to an hour long workout to walk another 20 minutes back home. It’s crazy to think how much time my workouts really took out of my day. When I do online classes I workout for a half hour to 45 minutes then hop in the shower in less time. I get more work done and have more time to read.
Shorter Workouts Are Great: Once upon a time I used to do double classes. Sometimes back to back. Sometimes I would workout in the morning then go for a run or a bike ride in the afternoon. I pushed myself so hard. I realize now that this was not healthy for my body. When I was doing longer workouts I was more prone to injury….and I have had my fair share of problems. The issue with my shoulder was that is was overworked and inflamed. I had the same issue with my left thigh years ago. The muscle gets so inflamed because it’s overworked and not given the proper rest it needs, and then it shuts down. Now that I workout for only a half hour to 45 minutes, I am not overworking my muscles and still seeing results.
Appreciating My Body More: In not maintaining the level of intensity I was used to during my workouts, I was worried I would lose all that I have worked hard for to achieve with my body. I thought I would lose muscle and strength, and to be completely transparent, I was afraid I would gain weight. I have a body that fluctuates easily. A year later, I know this couldn’t be further from the truth. I’ve maintain my level of strength and flexibility. Although my endurance has been a casualty. And my weight still fluctuates like it did before– just the way God made me. But besides the way my body looks, I have come to appreciate all that my body can do. The pandemic has made us all stop and appreciate what we do have. I have a body that can still run, dance, lift weights, stretch, touch the floor, and do the splits. I am still young and able to enjoy working out, moving my body. As instructor Sarah Grooms says during her workouts “It’s a blessing and a privilege that our bodies get to do this today.”
Modifications: I would hardly ever do modifications during class unless I was completely dying or the workout was new to me. I would use others in the class to motivate myself to do things full out. Although I do miss the energy and the push of working out with other people, modifying a movement does not mean less. I used to think modifying meant not getting the full benefit of the movement or getting less of a workout. During one of my online classes an instructor simply explained that modifying means working out smarter. It then dawned on me that modifying a movement means it is easier on your joints, better for you to stay aligned and in proper form. Otherwise when you do things full out you may not be doing it properly which results in injury.
Variety of Classes: Although before the pandemic I was using ClassPass and was able to do a variety of workouts, I love that I can do a it all in one day without paying extra for it. I’ve been doing Obé Fitness since the pandemic started and love the fact that I can do a sculpt class for 30 minutes followed by 10 minutes of yoga. I can do 10 minutes of sculpt arms and 10 minutes of a lower body workout using heavier weights. I love the mix and match concept that gives my body exactly what it needs that day. If I start a workout and my body isn’t feeling it, I can switch to either a more intense workout or a non-impact. Working out from home I have really started to listen to what my body needs and I workout accordingly.
Cute Workout Clothes: What’s the best way to motivate yourself to workout? Cute activewear! One downside of working out from home is my lack of motivation. It’s much easier to get motivated when you pay for a class or will get charged if you miss it. When you can turn on your computer to workout at any moment, it’s harder to motivate yourself. The couch and Netflix, or a good book, seems more enticing. When you have new workout clothes to wear you can’t wait to put them on and sweat. This cute long sleeve top from adidas is one that is getting me motivated to workout these days. During the winter time I like to wear long sleeve workout tops while I am at home. It gets my body warmed up faster and keeps me warm throughout the workout. Even if I was not working out, this top is perfect to lounge in during the day. I love the pop of pink that brightens my normally dull workout attire. Shop more long sleeve workout tops below:
*adidas Ambassador. All thoughts and opinions are my own.